Pipe coupling

ABSTRACT

A pipe coupling includes a sleeve and a clamping ring. The sleeve includes a flange at least one end. The clamping ring is mounted to the flange. The clamping ring carries a seal and includes two spaced apart bolt engagement portions. The clamping ring further includes two separate clamping ring portions that are removably connected together at a coupling portion of each respective separate clamping ring portion so that each clamping ring portion is separable from the other one. The two separate clamping ring portions function as a unitary ring when the coupling portions are brought into abutting contact such that the coupling portions are fixed relative to each other.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention disclosed here relates to a pipe coupling. The pipecoupling is adapted to join two large pipes together via a barrel sleevethat has clamping rings on each end. The clamping rings have sealsadapted to join pipes having the same diameter or different diameters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many different types of pipe couplings and connectors forjoining water, sewage, gas, and similar pipes. An example of one suchcoupling is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,576. The design disclosedhere provides an alternative to the '576 design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed here is an improved pipe coupling. The pipecoupling includes a cylindrical, barrel-shaped sleeve portion that hascircumferential flanges at each end. The circumferential flanges faceoutwardly relative to the sleeve. Connected to each circumferentialflange is a clamping ring.

In preferred form, the clamping rings are identical in construction.Each clamping ring carries a nested seal. Each clamping ring may consistof two separate portions, or halves, that are hinged together at thebottom, although variations are possible.

The hinge creates a pivot point so that each half of the clamping ring(or clamping ring portion) is moveable toward and away from the otherone. However, the clamping ring portions are structurally configured sothat they eventually become iron-bound near the pivot point at a certainrotational point, as the clamping ring portions move toward each otherduring closing or tightening. The iron-bounding effect causes theclamping ring portions to eventually function as a “unitary” ringinstead of two separate freely-moving halves.

As an alternative, it may be possible to use the same concept in aclamping ring having several segments. In this instance, one segment orportion swings relative to another via a pivoting or similar connection.The two portions become iron-bound at a certain inward swing point.

As indicated above, for the two-part arrangement, each half of theclamping ring has an ear adapted to connect to a tightening bolt. Theears of each clamping ring portion are pulled together by the tighteningbolt in a conventional manner. However, the ears are integrated with thestructure of the clamping ring portions, as opposed to being separatelywelded or the like.

Each clamping ring carries a nested seal. According to the inventiondisclosed here, the nested seal includes an inner circumferential sealpart that is separately nested within an outer circumferential sealpart. The combination of these two seal parts creates an inwardlydirected face that presses against an outwardly directed face of thecorresponding barrel sleeve's circumferential flange.

The nested seal also has a sloping outer surface received within theclamping ring. The slope on the surface causes the seal to be urgedtoward the barrel sleeve's circumferential flange as the clamping ringis tightened.

The inner part of the nested seal has a plurality of outer peripheralridges that mate with a corresponding plurality of inner peripheralgrooves on the inside of the outer part of the seal. This permits theinner part to be removed easily from the outer part and allows theclamping rings to be adjusted to pipes of varying diameters.

The outer part of the seal also has an annular groove that faces thebarrel sleeve's flange. The diameter of the annular groove is greaterthan the inner diameter of the barrel sleeve's flange, when in anon-compressed state. However, when the clamping ring is tightened aboutthe circumferential flange on the sleeve, the seal is compressed downsuch that the annular groove becomes exposed to the interior diameter ofthe pipe.

Last, the cylindrical, barrel-shaped sleeve portion carries a handle.The sleeve is preferably designed to couple together the ends of twopipes having interior diameters within and including four to twelveinches. The handle allows for the pipe coupling to be physicallymanipulated (e.g., turned or held in position) much easier when it isused to couple pipes.

The features summarized above, including how they interact with eachother, are further described below and in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference numerals and letters refer to like partsthroughout the various views, unless indicated otherwise, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe coupling constructed inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the pipe coupling shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the pipe coupling shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of two clamping rings illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, with the clamping ring and related seal structure removedfrom the barrel sleeve portion of the pipe coupling;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4, but reveals underlying nested seal andbacking armor structure;

FIG. 6 is a view like FIG. 4, but with the nested seal removed;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of the nested seal, and shows a backing armorplate on an outer surface of the seal;

FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 7, taken at a different angle, and shows thebacking armor plate removed;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view like FIG. 8, but taken at a different angle,and shows only the outer circumferential portion of the nested seal,with the inner circumferential portion having been removed;

FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of the outer circumferential portion of theseal;

FIG. 11 is a pictorial view like FIG. 4, but shows the innercircumferential portion of the seal removed from the outer one;

FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG. 11, but with the seal removed for thepurpose of illustrating how the clamping ring is shaped to receive thenested seal;

FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG. 11 and shows the nested seal in positionwithin the clamping ring;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of one clamping ring portion and shows thehinge part of a releasable pin and hinge connection that permits twoseparate clamp ring portions to rotate relative to each other;

FIG. 15 is a view like FIG. 14, but shows the pin portion;

FIG. 16 is a pictorial view of the cylindrical barrel sleeve portion ofthe pipe coupling;

FIG. 17 is a frontal view of an alternative embodiment of a clampingring that functions like the clamping ring illustrated in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 18 is a view like FIG. 17, but is taken looking at the oppositeside of the clamping ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, shown generally at10 is a pipe coupling constructed in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the invention. The coupling 10 consists of a cylindrical,barrel-shaped sleeve 12.

Referring briefly to FIG. 16, the barrel-shaped sleeve 12 has a carryinghandle 14. Each end of the barrel-shaped sleeve 12 terminates in acircumferential flange 16, 18. Each flange 16, 18 presents an outwardlyfacing surface 20 (see FIG. 16). As can be seen in FIG. 2, the barrelsleeve 12 converges at 22, 24, respectively, toward each circumferentialflange 16, 18 (not shown in FIG. 2).

In preferred form, and referring back to FIG. 1, a clamping ring(indicated generally at 26, 28) is connected to each circumferentialflange 16, 18 on the sleeve 12. FIG. 3 is an endwise view of the pipecoupling 10 and shows only clamping ring 26. In the alternative viewprovided by FIG. 4, the clamping ring 26 is shown alone and disconnectedfrom the pipe coupling 10.

In the embodiment described here, each clamping ring 26, 28 isidentical. It is to be appreciated, however, that variations wouldinvolve making one clamping ring larger or smaller relative to theother. It might also be possible to use the clamping ring and sealdesign disclosed here in other kinds of pipe coupling applications.Nevertheless, because clamping rings 26, 28 are identical in thedrawings, only one clamping ring 26 will be described.

The clamping ring 26 is made of two separate portions, or halves 30, 32.These portions are connected together at a pivot point 34 (see, e.g.FIG. 3). The pivot point 34 allows each part 30, 32 of the clamping ring26 to open and/or close at the top as a bolt structure 36 (describedlater below) is respectively loosened or tightened.

The pivotal connection 34 is created by the structure illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15. These figures are views that depict the bottom side ofclamping ring 26. One portion or half 30 of the clamping ring 26 has ahinge piece 38. The hinge piece 38 has forked hooks 40, 42 that capturea pin 44 on the bottom of the other clamping ring part 32. The hooks 40,42 are easy to connect and disconnect to and from the pin 44 forcompletely separating the two halves, if desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, but first to FIG. 6, the clamping ring26 is compressed around the barrel sleeve's circular flange 16 by thebolt structure 36. The bolt structure design is conventional. Itincludes a bolt head 46 that is captured by a bolt guide 48. The boltguide 48 is curved and rests against a complementary curved surface 50that is part of a clamping ring ear 52 (see FIG. 3). The ear 52 is madefrom the same piece of material (metal) that makes up the clamping ringportion 26. In other words, the ear 52 is structurally integrated orintegrated with the structure of the clamping ring portion.

The other end of the bolt structure 36 has a nut 54 threaded onto theshaft 56 of bolt structure 36. The nut 54 similarly rests against amirror bolt guide 58. Similar to the previous description, bolt guide 58rests against a curved surface 60 on clamp ear 61.

Referring once again to FIG. 4, the clamping ring 26 carries a nestedseal, indicated generally at 62. The seal 62 is called “nested” becauseit has an outer circumferential seal part 64 (see FIG. 9) and an innercircumferential seal part 66 (see FIG. 10).

The inner seal 66 has a plurality of outer peripheral ridges 68, 70.These ridges mate with or fit within corresponding inner peripheralgrooves 72, 74 on an inner surface 76 of the outer seal 64 part (seeFIGS. 9 and 10). The arrangement of peripheral ridges 68, 70 and grooves72, 74 help retain the inner seal 66 in position within the outer seal64 thus creating the desired “nested” configuration.

The nested combination created by the inner and outer seal parts 66, 64can be used to define an adjustable seal for capturing the end of pipeshaving variations in outer diameter. If desired, the inner seal 66 canbe easily removed from the outer one 64, in the field, thereby adaptingthe clamp ring 26 to a larger pipe. The two seals 66, 64 are not joinedtogether via an adhesive or other bonding agent. They exist as separatepieces. It is possible to reinstall the inner circumferential seal part66, if desired.

Referring now to FIG. 12, which shows the clamping ring part 30 withoutthe nested seal 62, it can be seen that the clamping ring is generallyconventional in cross section, except as described below. The clampingring has an inner lip 77 that overlaps the barrel sleeve'scircumferential flange 16 (not shown in FIG. 12). In other words, thecircumferential flange rests within the space indicated by arrow 78 inFIG. 12. As would be apparent, removing the nut 54 from the end of thebolt structure 36 allows the clamping ring 26 to be opened sufficientlyso that the clamping ring can be placed around the circumferentialflange 16.

Outwardly of space 78 is a unique sloped surface 80 in which the nestedseal 62 rests. The slope of surface 80 is convergent outwardly (towardthe end of the pipe coupling 10). As the bolt structure 36 is tightened,it pulls clamp ears 52, 61 toward each other, thus compressing thenested seal 62. At the same time, the compression action also urges thesloped surface 80 of the clamping ring against the corresponding surface(also sloped) 82 of the nested seal (see FIG. 9). This, in turn, urgesthe seal 62 toward the circumferential flange 16.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the inwardly facing surface of the seal,indicated generally by arrow 84, is further urged or pressed against theoutwardly facing surface 20 of the sleeve's circumferential flange (seeFIG. 16). This collectively enhances sealing capability because not onlyis the nested seal 62 compressed around the outside diameter of thepipe, but it is also compressed axially into and against thebarrel-sleeve's circumferential flange.

Next, the outer part 64 of seal 62 has an annular groove 86 that facesthe barrel sleeve 12. When the clamping ring 26 is placed on itsrespective flange, and before tightening of the bolt structure 36, theseal 62 is in a non-compressed state. In this condition, the diameter ofthe annular groove 86 is preferably greater than the inner diameter ofthe barrel sleeve 12. When compressed, however, the annular groove 86becomes likewise compressed so that its diameter becomes exposed to theinside of the barrel sleeve 12. This enables fluid pressure to cause onepart of the seal to slide upon itself. It is believed this may improveupon seal efficiency.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is a backing armor piece 88 that fits over aregion 90 (shown in FIG. 11) in outer seal part 64. The armor piece 88rests underneath clamping ring ears 52, 62 and spans the distance or gapbetween the ears. FIG. 8 shows where the armor piece 88 normally restson the seal. As the bolt structure 36 is tightened, the armor pieceserves to compress the seal 62 and prevents the seal from bulging in theregion where the bolt structure 36 is located.

Directing attention now to the bottom of FIG. 4, as was described above,the clamping ring 26 consists of two separate parts 30, 32. These parts30, 32 may swing or move toward and away from each other because theyare connected at pivot point 34.

As is apparent from the above description, the ears 52, 62 may openrelative to each other. When this happens, it creates a space or gap atthe location indicated generally by arrow 92 in FIGS. 3 and 4. In thatcircumstance, the parts 30, 32 of the clamping ring 26 are “pivoting.”As the clamping ring 26 is tightened, however, the edges 94, 96 of eachrespective clamping ring part 30, 32 come into abutting contact witheach other at reinforced region 33 (see FIG. 6) and constrain or stopfurther free-pivoting movement. At that particular point, becauseclamping rings 30, 32 cease moving freely, further clamp tightening isaccomplished by bending within the integrated structure of parts 30, 32.In other words, the clamping ring 26 then begins to function as thoughit is a “unitary” ring made of a single piece.

Finally, an alternative embodiment of clamping ring 26 is illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18. Directing attention there, the alternative embodimentconsists of a ring that is segmented into three parts 98, 100, 102. Eachpart is connected together at 104, 106 by the same type of hook and pinconnection described earlier. These connections create pivot points thatenable ring segments 98, 100, 102 to swing freely relative to each otherwhen the clamping ring 26 is unbolted. However, as one separate portionswings relative to the other in a closing motion, the two portionseventually become iron-bound in the same manner as described above. Thisoccurs at the locations indicated at 108 and 110, respectively. Theiron-binding or bounding effect enables a three-segment ring to functionas a single unitary ring at a certain tightening point. The advantage tothis design is that the compressive forces created by the ring aredistributed more evenly. Likewise, the nested seal 62 receivesevened-out compression around its circumference.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/893,049, to which this applicationclaims priority, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

The foregoing is not intended to limit the scope of patent coverage. Thescope of patent coverage is intended to be limited by the patent claims,the interpretation of which is to be made in accordance with theestablished doctrines of patent claim interpretation.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A pipe coupling, comprising: a sleeve including aflange at an end of the sleeve, the flange having an axially outwardlydirected face; and a clamping ring mounted to the flange, the clampingring carrying a seal, the clamping ring including first and secondclamping ring portions, the first and second clamping ring portionsfunctioning as a unitary ring when a first bearing face of the firstclamping ring portion is brought into abutting contact with a secondbearing face of the second clamping ring portion such that the first andsecond clamping ring portions are rotatably fixed relative to oneanother, the clamping ring including a surface to urge an inwardlydirected face of the seal axially against the axially outwardly directedface of the flange as the first and second clamping ring portions aremoved toward one another.
 10. The pipe coupling of claim 9 wherein theseal is a nested seal having an inner circumferential seal nested withinan outer circumferential seal.
 11. The pipe coupling of claim 10 whereinthe outer circumferential seal includes an annular groove that faces theflange, a diameter of the annular groove is greater than an innerdiameter of the flange when the seal is in a non-compressed condition,and the diameter of the annular groove is less than the inner diameterof the flange when the seal is in a compressed condition.
 12. The pipecoupling of claim 9 wherein when the first bearing face is brought intoabutting contact with the second bearing face, the first and secondbearing faces are substantially aligned along a plane extending througha center of the clamping ring.
 13. The pipe coupling of claim 9 whereinwhen the first bearing face is brought into abutting contact with thesecond bearing face, the first bearing face engages the second bearingface only in compression.
 14. The pipe coupling of claim 9 wherein thefirst and second clamping ring portions are removably connected togetherby a first coupling portion of the first clamping ring portion and asecond coupling portion of the second clamping ring portion so that thefirst and second clamping ring portions are separable from one another.15. The pipe coupling of claim 9 wherein the surface is an outwardlyconvergent sloped surface.
 16. The pipe coupling of claim 15 wherein theoutwardly convergent sloped surface urges the seal axially against theaxially outwardly directed face of the flange and compresses the sealradially inwardly against the outside of a pipe as the first and secondclamping ring portions are moved toward one another.
 17. The pipecoupling of claim 9, further comprising a fastener to bring the firstbearing face of the first clamping ring portion into abutting contactwith the second bearing face of the second clamping ring portion. 18.The pipe coupling of claim 9 wherein the clamping ring includes thesurface to force the seal radially inward as the first and secondclamping ring portions are moved toward one another.
 19. A pipecoupling, comprising: a sleeve including a flange at an end of thesleeve; and a clamping ring mounted to the flange, the clamping ringcarrying a seal, the clamping ring including first and second clampingring portions, the first and second clamping ring portions functioningas a unitary ring when a first bearing face of the first clamping ringportion is brought into abutting contact with a second bearing face ofthe second clamping ring portion such that the first and second clampingring portions are rotatably fixed relative to one another, the clampingring and seal configured to engage the pipe coupling with pipes havingdiameters between four and twelve inches and to create an effective sealtherebetween.
 20. The pipe coupling of claim 19 wherein the flangeincludes an axially outwardly directed face and the clamping ringincludes a surface to urge the seal axially against the axiallyoutwardly directed face of the flange as the first and second clampingring portions are moved toward one another.
 21. The pipe coupling ofclaim 20 wherein the surface is an outwardly convergent sloped surface.22. The pipe coupling of claim 21 wherein the outwardly convergentsloped surface urges the seal axially against the axially outwardlydirected face of the flange and compresses the seal radially inwardlyagainst the outside of a pipe as the first and second clamping ringportions are moved toward one another.
 23. The pipe coupling of claim 22wherein the clamping ring includes the surface to force the sealradially inward as the first and second clamping ring portions are movedtoward one another.
 24. The pipe coupling of claim 19, furthercomprising a fastener to bring the first bearing face of the firstclamping ring portion into abutting contact with the second bearing faceof the second clamping ring portion.
 25. The pipe coupling of claim 19wherein the clamping ring is configured to capture an end of a pipeinserted through the clamping ring while the clamping ring is mounted tothe flange by compressing the seal around an outside diameter of thepipe.
 26. A pipe coupling, comprising: a sleeve including a flange at anend of the sleeve; and a clamping ring mounted to the flange, theclamping ring carrying a seal, the clamping ring including first andsecond clamping ring portions, the first and second clamping ringportions functioning as a unitary ring when a first bearing face of thefirst clamping ring portion is brought into abutting contact with asecond bearing face of the second clamping ring portion such that thefirst and second clamping ring portions are rotatably fixed relative toone another, the clamping ring configured to capture an end of a pipeinserted through the clamping ring after the clamping ring has beenmounted to the flange by compressing the seal around an outside of thepipe.
 27. The pipe coupling of claim 26 wherein the flange includes anaxially outwardly directed face and the clamping ring includes a surfaceto urge the seal axially against the axially outwardly directed face ofthe flange as the first and second clamping ring portions are movedtoward one another.
 28. The pipe coupling of claim 27 wherein thesurface is an outwardly convergent sloped surface.
 29. The pipe couplingof claim 28 wherein the outwardly convergent sloped surface urges theseal axially against the axially outwardly directed face of the flangeand compresses the seal radially inwardly against the outside of thepipe as the first and second clamping ring portions are moved toward oneanother.
 30. The pipe coupling of claim 27 wherein the clamping ringincludes the surface to force the seal radially inward as the first andsecond clamping ring portions are moved toward one another.
 31. The pipecoupling of claim 26, further comprising a fastener to bring the firstbearing face of the first clamping ring portion into abutting contactwith the second bearing face of the second clamping ring portion.
 32. Apipe coupling, comprising: a sleeve including a flange at an end of thesleeve; and a clamping ring mounted to the flange, the clamping ringcarrying a seal, the clamping ring including first and second clampingring portions, the first and second clamping ring portions functioningas a unitary ring when a first bearing face of the first clamping ringportion is brought into abutting contact with a second bearing face ofthe second clamping ring portion such that the first and second clampingring portions are rotatably fixed relative to one another; wherein theseal includes an inner circumferential seal nested within an outercircumferential seal and the inner circumferential seal includes aplurality of outer peripheral ridges that mate with a correspondingplurality of inner peripheral grooves on an inner surface of the outercircumferential seal.
 33. A pipe coupling, comprising: a sleeveincluding a flange at an end of the sleeve; and a clamping ring mountedto the flange, the clamping ring carrying a seal, the clamping ringincluding first and second clamping ring portions, the first and secondclamping ring portions functioning as a unitary ring when a firstbearing face of the first clamping ring portion is brought into abuttingcontact with a second bearing face of the second clamping ring portionsuch that the first and second clamping ring portions are rotatablyfixed relative to one another; wherein the clamping ring includesexactly two clamping ring portions.